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Wedding in paradise

Published:Sunday | June 26, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Leeroy Williams exchanges vows with Lorraine Henry, minutes before being presented as man and wife to family and friends. - Photo by Noel Thompson
Hyacinth Chambers and Rosetta Ferguson (first and second left), the mothers of the bride and groom Leeroy Williams and Lorraine Henry-Williams, look on as they cut their cake. - Photo by Noel Thompson
Leeroy Williams looks at his bride, Lorraine Henry, during their wedding ceremony.
Cabaret singer Shawn Campbell (centre) shares a happy moment with Patrick Lamont and wife Cherrine at the recent wedding reception for Leeroy Williams and Lorraine Henry.
Bride Lorraine Henry-Williams (second left) and husband Leeroy Williams are flanked by their mothers Hyacinth Chambers (left) and Rosetta Ferguson.
Leeroy Williams (second right) is surrounded by his party (from left) Everald Rankine, Mark Henry and Andrew Thompson.
Members of the bridal party take interest in Lorraine Henry-Williams' wedding band following a ceremony held at the Tryall Golf and Beach Club in Hanover, on Saturday, June 11. From left are Anita McDaniel, Theresa King and Verna Edwards.
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Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

In celebrating their undying love for each other, Lorraine Henry and Leeroy Williams took it to another level when they cemented their love at a ceremony held at the Tryall Golf and Beach Club in Hanover, Saturday, June 11.

The tiny hall, aptly branded the Cornwall Room, was enveloped with intimacy, nicely decorated and all seats were taken, as friends and relatives journeyed from sections of the island and the United States to witness the lovebirds seal their vows, according to Jehovah's Witnesses principles.

Leeroy and Lorraine are both members of the Jehovah's Witnesses faith. Leeroy, an artiste manager, lives in Montego Bay, while Lorraine, a Jamaica-born, naturalised American citizen, lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she works as a marketing assistant with Miller Zell, a Fortune 500 company.

The ceremony, presided over by Wilbert Wade, was somewhat different in that instead of doing the traditional wedding ceremony, he had a heart-to-heart consultation with the couple, encouraging the groom to "handle her with care".

"And being submissive can be a blessing. If both of you work in unity, it will create an everlasting bond and an amorous love that will keep you together," he told the bride.

He urged them never to be upset with each other to the point where either party will ever thought it would have been better one was not on the face of the Earth.

As the clock struck 5:40 p.m., it was time for the exchange of vows. There was a burst of laughter across the room when the marriage officer jokingly asked Leeroy to repeat the vows louder and with a sense of certainty.

Five minutes later, they signed the marriage register, confirming their marriage. They didn't kiss, as is done traditionally, but Leeroy later explained to Outlook that kissing is optional in his faith.

Song number 87 Now We Are One was the selection chosen and appropriately so, as the newly-weds stood bravely in front the packed room and gazed on with love beaming in their eyes.

Less than two minutes into the song, it appeared Lorraine was touched by the riveting words, she started crying. And like a good boy should, Leeroy gently dried the tears as they trickled down her cheeks.

The rest of the evening was punctuated with a bounty of talent with performances from Shyan Moses, the duo Nicole Miller and Neil Halliburton, better known as 'Too Good', Alisa and Soul4Soul, backed by Pace Band.

Connie Edwards of Ebony was in a great mood as she gave a beautiful rendition of the jazz number I'm Feeling Good.

The return of Alisa signalled a difference in the evening's proceedings, serenading the bride and groom with Hold On and Rod Stewart's Forever Young. And it took Shawn Campbell's rendition of Gladys Knight's Natural Woman to get the couple to kiss.

Addressing his wife, Leeroy said: "You came into my life at a very critical moment and eased some pains. I love you with all my heart. I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you." His speech was followed by another round of entertainment, which brought the event to a close.